Gotta love Bill Parcells. (real name Duane) I don’t think I would want to work for him, but the guy has been a winner. This is his eleven rules for quarterbacks that he made Tony Romo memorize. I thought there was wisom to be gleaned as we try to lead the church.

1. Ignore other opinions – Press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on – ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here. (Have wisdom about who you listen to)

2. Clowns can’t run a huddle – don’t forget to have fun but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.

3. Fat QBs can’t avoid the rush – A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run. (Discipline behind the scenes will result allow you to be effective in public)

4. Know your job cold – this is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study. (Be a student of leadership)

5. Know your own players – Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent. (Know the people you are leading)

6. Be the same guy every day – in condition. Preparing to lead. Studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.

7. Throwing the ball away is a good play – sacks, interceptions and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those. (Pick your battles well, learn from mistakes)

9. Get your team in the end zone – passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged. (Set clear and wise priorities)

10. Don’t panic – when all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.

11. Don’t be a celebrity QB – we don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week and every season and lead their team to win after win after win. (God doesn’t need you, leadership is a privilege)